ABSTRACT
Five distinct peaks were detected in gel filtration patterns of yolk-platelet homogenates; three (A, D, E) peaks were found in the spermatozoa-homogenates. Peaks B and C from the gel filtration chromatogram of the yolk platelets were female-specific. Further purification of peak B on FPLC showed two well separated peaks, both with absorbance at 280 and 460 nm.
During early stages of the reproductive cycle, saponins were detected in the yolk platelets associated with proteins in peak B. In later stages they were found in peak E. Function of the saponins may be different in both stages.
